Traffic shaping of cellular service consumption through modification of consumer behavior encouraged by cell-based pricing advantages

Abstract

Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT [0002] This invention was not developed in conjunction with any Federally-sponsored contract. MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0004] None. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] 1. Field of the Invention [0006] This invention relates to technologies and business processes for dynamic cellular phone rate pricing based on cellular traffic patterns, and especially to methods and systems which encourage consumer behavior changes which optimize loading of equipment and return on investment for cellular infrastructure. [0007] 2. Description of the Related Art [0008] Millions of people around the world use cellular phones as a means to talk with one and another and to access to various sources of information. With a cellular telephone, users are able to use an incredible array of features and functions such as storing contact information, m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0082] The present invention enables wireless service providers to selectively enhance the utilization of cell towers through consumer behavior modification based on dynamically generated market incentives. Our invention...

Problems solved by technology

While the former approach will consume some power for the search, the latter almost always consumes even more power as transmission of signals is usually a more power intensive operation than simply receiving a signal.

Many wireless networked systems are designed to handle providing continuous service as a unit travels from one cell to another, while other technologies do not provide this functionality.

These plans cost more and also give you fewer airtime minutes per month than similarly priced local plans.

National plans offer even less airtime per month than regional plans and are usually the most expensive option.

Like any other contract with its provisions, should the user decide to cancel before the term of the contract, a steep penalty charge is incurred.

Geographic costs associated with cellular telephone usage include the cost of land lease, towers, switches, and other associated processing equipment, the human costs of cellular company employees, and the costs associated with service levels.

Each of those towers has its own set of costs: cost of leasing the land on which the tower is placed, cost of operating and maintaining the equipment in the tower and base station, etc.

For instance, in a low usage cell, underutilized equipment is a cost, and inversely, in an overly busy area, excessive usage may drive the need for additional bandwidth.

Similarly, newer towers may be more c...

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